Psalms Chapter 46 · Verse 6

Authorized King James Version

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The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Original Language Analysis

הָמ֣וּ raged H1993
הָמ֣וּ raged
Strong's: H1993
Word #: 1 of 8
to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
ג֭וֹיִם The heathen H1471
ג֭וֹיִם The heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 2 of 8
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
מָ֣טוּ were moved H4131
מָ֣טוּ were moved
Strong's: H4131
Word #: 3 of 8
to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall
מַמְלָכ֑וֹת the kingdoms H4467
מַמְלָכ֑וֹת the kingdoms
Strong's: H4467
Word #: 4 of 8
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
נָתַ֥ן he uttered H5414
נָתַ֥ן he uttered
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 5 of 8
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּ֝קוֹל֗וֹ his voice H6963
בְּ֝קוֹל֗וֹ his voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 6 of 8
a voice or sound
תָּמ֥וּג melted H4127
תָּמ֥וּג melted
Strong's: H4127
Word #: 7 of 8
to melt, i.e., literally (to soften, flow down, disappear), or figuratively (to fear, faint)
אָֽרֶץ׃ the earth H776
אָֽרֶץ׃ the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 8 of 8
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis & Commentary

Nations rage (hamah, the same word for roaring waters in v.3), kingdoms are moved--the political world shares creation's chaos. Yet 'he uttered his voice, the earth melted.' God's mere word dissolves all opposition. The voice that creates can also unmake; the voice that judges can also save.

Historical Context

The nations' raging against Zion echoes specific historical threats (Assyria, Babylon) and also represents the perpetual hostility of human powers against God's purposes.

Questions for Reflection